2) Neighbourhood active, healthy design checklist• “Active, healthy community design” means making local environments supportive of walking, cycling and other aspects of active living. This includes things like locating homes within walking distance of workplaces, shops and schools, providing efficient and well-maintained walking and cycling routes, ensuring access to recreational facilities, parks and trails and making sure children have safe routes to school and good outdoor play areas. Streets in your neighbourhood have a “grid pattern” with short blocks that make routes more direct.
Go for a walk with this checklist to see how well your neighbourhood supports active, healthy living. Take notes along the way to document any problems with getting around without a car and being active in your neighbourhood. You can also take pictures if you have a camera. When you’re finished, add up the ratings for each section to get your neighbourhood’s active, healthy design score.
Culs-de-sac and other more circular streets are linked by pedestrian walkways (“connectors”). Bike paths and lanes connect the neighbourhood with key destinations, and: bike paths and lanes are well marked.
Walking route (Where did you walk (i.e., starting point, end point, streets taken)?
bike racks are available.
Public transit service connects the neighbourhood with key destinations, and: stops are within easy walking distance of homes.
transit service is frequent.
bus shelters are provided at stops.
buses are equipped with racks for transporting bikes.
Connectivity Check off all that apply, then fill in the overall connectivity rating.
Notes:
The neighbourhood is connected with key destinations (like shopping and services) by sidewalks and/or walkways, which are: present on both sides of the street.
continuous (they don’t suddenly stop). in good repair.
Connectivity rating (please select one)
wide enough for two or three people to walk side by side.
1
Poor
clear of obstacles such as bushes and garbage.
easily navigated with wheelchairs or strollers. * Adapted
from the walkON “How walkable is your community?" checklist.
23
2
Good
3
Excellent
Proximity and access to amenities Check off all that apply, then fill in the overall proximity/access rating.
Aesthetics Check off all that apply, then fill in the overall aesthetics rating.
There are enough people living in the neighbourhood to support a variety of businesses and services.
The walking route is attractive and pleasant.
The walking route is not broken up by lots of vacant space (e.g., parking lots, empty buildings).
Homes are within walking distance of: shopping.
The landscaping is attractive (e.g., trees and flowers).
grocery store.
services (e.g., doctor, dentist, bank).
There are benches and other places to rest along the walking route.
schools.
There are interesting things to look at along the way.
parks and playgrounds.
recreation facilities (e.g., tennis courts, public pool, skating rink, soccer field).
Stores in the neighbourhood are generally occupied and well maintained.
workplaces.
Notes:
There is a mix of homes, businesses, stores and schools in the neighbourhood. There are different styles of housing (apartments, townhomes, single family) in the neighbourhood. Notes:
Aesthetics rating (please select one)
1
Poor Proximity and access to amenities rating (please select one)
1
Poor
2
Good
3
Excellent
24
2
Good
3
Excellent
Safety Check off all that apply, then fill in the overall safety rating.
Active, healthy community design score: Is your neighbourhood designed to support active, healthy living?
Pedestrian crossings are well marked, and signals allow enough time to cross the street.
Add up the rating for each section to get the final score for your neighbourhood:
There are enough pedestrian crossings (you don’t have to cross mid-block or go too far out of your way to cross the street).
______ Connectivity ______ Proximity and access to amenities
Street signs are visible at all intersections.
______ Aesthetics
Cars obey traffic rules and the set speed limit.
______ Safety
Sidewalks are separated from the road by grass, trees and/or pavement.
______ Total active, healthy community design score
Bike lanes and paths are separated from other traffic.
What does the score mean?
Cycling routes are well lit at night.
10-12 Celebrate! Your neighbourhood makes active, healthy living easy.
Walking routes are well lit at night.
There are “eyes on the street”(e.g., people out and about, houses that face the street and not too many high walls, fences or garages lining the walking route).
8-9 Pretty good. It generally supports active, healthy living, but there’s room for improvement. 5-7 Mixed results. There are some supports for active, healthy living, but also some gaps.
Notes:
4 Not great. Very low support for everyday active, healthy living — time for some changes!
Safety rating (please select one)
1
Poor
2
Good
3
Excellent
25